The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense and captivating in the world of sports. Matches between these two nations are high-pressure events, watched by billions and etched in the memories of fans for years to come. While numerous encounters have provided unforgettable moments, certain finals stand out. Here's a look at five such India-Pakistan finals:
1. Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket, 1985: This final, held in Melbourne, is often regarded as a "forgotten gem". India defeated Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller. Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 134, a target India chased down with relative ease, winning by 8 wickets. Sunil Gavaskar led the charge, and Ravi Shastri was named the Man of the Series, winning an Audi car. This victory is significant as some players involved rate it higher than the 1983 World Cup win.
2. Austral-Asia Cup, 1986: This match is remembered for Javed Miandad's iconic last-ball six. With Pakistan needing four runs to win off the final ball, Miandad launched a full toss from Chetan Sharma over the mid-wicket boundary, securing a thrilling one-wicket victory. This remains one of the most iconic moments in cricket history and a painful memory for Indian fans.
3. Austral-Asia Cup, 1994: Unlike the thrilling 1986 final, this encounter was more straightforward. Pakistan, after an entertaining 96-run stand by Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail, posted a total of 250/6. India struggled to build momentum against a strong Pakistani attack and were eventually bowled out, losing by 39 runs. Wasim Akram's bowling performance stood out, as he finished with 2/39 in 8.4 overs. Vinod Kambli was India's highest scorer with 56 runs.
4. ICC T20 World Cup, 2007: The inaugural T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg provided another nail-biting finish. India, led by MS Dhoni, put up a total of 157/5, with Gautam Gambhir's 75 being the cornerstone of the innings. In a tense chase, Pakistan lost wickets at crucial moments. Misbah-ul-Haq's attempt to scoop Joginder Sharma in the final over resulted in a catch to Sreesanth, handing India a 5-run victory. This win marked a new era for Indian cricket under Dhoni's captaincy. It is considered one of the best India vs Pakistan finals ever because of the drama and close finish.
5. ICC Champions Trophy, 2017: In a shocking turn of events, Pakistan inflicted a crushing 180-run defeat on India at The Oval. Fakhar Zaman's brilliant century (114 off 106 balls) helped Pakistan post a formidable 338/4. India's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Mohammad Amir's devastating spell, which saw the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan. Hardik Pandya's valiant effort of 76 off 43 balls was not enough, as India were bowled out for just 158. This was Pakistan's first victory against India in an ICC final.
These five finals represent just a fraction of the memorable encounters between India and Pakistan. Each match is a tapestry of drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments that contribute to the rich history of this iconic rivalry. While Pakistan has won 3 of 5 finals in tournaments with more than 5 teams, the balance of power often shifts, promising more thrilling encounters in the future.
